Depending on the type of Hawaii traffic ticket you received, you can generally pay your ticket fines online, by mail, by phone, or in person. You can also fight your ticket or ask the court to reduce your fine. Be sure to respond to your traffic ticket within 21 days, or you will be found guilty by default and could face additional penalties.
FINES & PENALTIES
Traffic fines in Hawaii vary by court. If you do not pay on time, you will be charged additional late fees. Refer to your traffic ticket to determine your exact ticket amount, deadlines, and penalties.
Hawaii's Department of Licensing (DOL) does not operate under a driving record point system. However, there are penalties, including driver's license suspension and revocation, for repeat speeding tickets or other violations that exhibit a pattern of unsafe driving. Too many traffic violations on your driving record or commit a major violation, your driver's license can be suspended.
Some major violations include:
- Reckless driving.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol.
- Not carrying adequate car insurance.
MOVING VIOLATIONS
A moving violation occurs whenever a traffic law is violated by a vehicle in motion. Some examples of moving violations are speeding, running a stop sign or red light, and drunk driving. A non-moving violation, by contrast, is usually related to parking or faulty equipment.
TRAFFIC SCHOOL
You may be eligible to take a defensive driving course to dismiss a ticket. For some offenses, it may be required. Contact the court to see if you're eligible for traffic school.
- Traffic school eligibility depends on a few factors:
- Personal driving history
- Discretion by the court
- The nature of the offense
A course will generally take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to complete in addition to passing a final exam.
RESPONDING TO YOUR TICKET
There are three ways to respond to your traffic ticket:
- Paying the fine
- Requesting a mitigation hearing
- Requesting a contested hearing
Regardless of plea, it must be entered before the ticket's due date which is 21 days from the infraction date.
The first two options are guilty pleas, while the third (requesting a contested hearing) is equivalent to pleading not guilty.
Pay the ticket
Paying a Hawaii traffic ticket is an admission of guilt.
This means:
- You are waiving your right to challenge the traffic ticket in court.
- Depending on your HI driving record, the Department of Licensing (DOL) may suspend your Hawaii driver's license.
- The traffic violation may cause an increase in your car insurance rates.
Requesting a mitigation hearing or "Admit Litigated"
If you're guilty of the traffic violation, you have the option to request a mitigation hearing and have your fine reduced. Your mitigation hearing may result in any of the following in lieu of paying the full original ticket fine:
- Fine reduction
- Monthly payment plan
- Community service
You may submit this in writing or request a hearing to appear in person. You CANNOT appeal the judge's decision in a mitigation hearing.
Follow the instructions on your traffic ticket to request this hearing.
Fighting your ticket
If you want to plead “not guilty" to the violation, you can request a contested hearing at the relevant county court by checking the appropriate check box on your ticket and then mailing it in to the court. You can also contest it right on your phone by using the Off The Record app.
You may contest your ticket either by a written statement or by requesting a hearing to physically appear in court.
HIRING AN ATTORNEY
Fighting your traffic ticket can help you avoid fines, license suspension, and increased insurance premiums. A traffic ticket attorney is a major asset in that fight. Typically, you can expect an attorney to:
- Request a contested hearing
- Request discovery for your case
- Represent you in court
- Negotiate with the prosecutor to have your charges dropped or reduced